Investigating Self-Stretching Impact on Immediately Improved Cognitive Function

Purpose:The primary aim of this study is to investigate the potential effects of self-stretching exercises on immediate improvements in cognitive function, with a specific focus on attention and memory.Methods: Thirty healthy subjects participated in the study, meeting the inclusion criteria of having no musculoskeletal or nervous system diseases and the ability to understand and follow the experiment.Cervical range of motion (ROM) was evaluated.Muscle tone and stiffness were measured using the MyotonPRO system.The self-stretching exercises targeted the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and sternocleidomastoid muscles.Cognitive function was assessed using the Stroop test for selective attention and a memory screening test.The participants underwent baseline assessments followed by education on self-stretching exercises, after which the assessments were repeated.Data analysis included averaging the results from three repeated trials and performing paired t-tests to determine the significance of differences before and after the stretching exercise.Statistical analysis was conducted with p-values less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results:The results showed significant improvements in cognitive function, cervical ROM, reduced muscle tone, and stiffness following the self-stretching exercises. Conclusion:This study demonstrates that self-stretching exercises can lead to improved not only cervical ROM, reduced muscle tone and stiffness in specific muscles but also potential enhancements in attention regarding cognitive processing speed.